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In the immediate aftermath of the US Presidential election, I heard that the Clinton campaign wondered what “went wrong.” Perhaps they’re still wondering. I think back to the race in 2000, in which Al Gore won the popular, but lost the electoral, vote as Secretary Clinton did. I recall a confident (some would say cocky) candidate riding on the heels of a successful 2-term Democratic President. I recall a second candidate presenting himself as a man of the people (despite being born into wealth), rough around the edges, and a straight shooter. Does this sound familiar? (Hitler did the same, but I digress.)

Donald Trump has won the election (provided rogue electors don’t renege on their pledges next month) because he managed to successfully portray himself as a regular guy to a huge segment of the population. You know, a regular guy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth; a regular guy who is extremely wealthy; a regular guy who never had to scrape and save for anything, unless you count scratching and clawing to build an empire with a measly $1 million loan from father.

Candidate Trump served as an antidote to political correctness run amok (somewhere along the line we’ve forgotten that respect and decency are far more important than if someone has said the “right thing” the “right way.”); a lifeline to people who feel like their power and/or privilege is slipping away and erroneously blame groups of people who have never had the same level of power or privilege. You see, a whole bunch of people see successful women and People of Color–largely Black–in the entertainment field (professional sports and the music industry, in particular, for Black Americans) or as news anchors and get a distorted reality. They think the balance of power has somehow shifted and that women and racial/ethnic minorities have gotten more than their supposed “share” of the pie or American Dream, or whatever you want to call it.

I say distorted reality because overrepresentation in some realms/fields/industries/sectors does not reflect the reality for most women or People of Color in America. Sure, in many ways, a great deal of improvement has occurred, but according to the National Poverty Center, 1 in 3 American women (approximately 42 million) and nearly 30 million children, live in or at the edge of poverty. In the US, over 1/4 of Blacks and American Indians (Native Americans) live in poverty; 24% of Latinos/Hispanics do; 12% of Asians do; and 10% of non-Hispanic Whites do. The average Black American household in the U.S. has 6% of the wealth of the average White American household–6 percent. This is according to The Racial Wealth Gap: Why Policy Matters. The average Latino household in the U.S. has 8% of the wealth that the average U.S. White household does. In real numbers we’re talking about over $111,000 in wealth for the average White family in the U.S., compared to $7,100 for the average Black family and $8,000 for the average Latino family (some calculations reveal a larger gap $112,000 versus $6,000, see http://www.huffingtonpost.com/antonio-moore/the-decadent-veil-black-income-inequality_b_5646472.html).

I hear complaints about so-called reverse discrimination and allegations that if you’re a woman or non-White, you have a better chance to succeed in the U.S. than if you’re White. It’s sad that some people actually believe that. It’s worse than disturbing that some people who know that’s not true, nonetheless claim it in order to stir the pot of hostilities bringing it from a slow simmer to a rolling boil. What about all those rich athletes and rappers, you ask? First of all, economically successful athletes and rappers that are People of Color represent a small percentage of their respective populations overall. (In plainer terms, if you see the world in Black and White, the numbers of American Black athletes and rappers represent a small percentage of the overall Black population in the U.S. Those that are economically successful enough to be called millionaires are an even smaller percent.) Additionally, they represent a small percentage of millionaires overall. For more on the distorted view of Black wealth due to media coverage that overwhelmingly focuses on sports and entertainment, I suggest reading Antonio Moore’s blog post, “The Decadent Veil: Black America’s Wealth Illusion.”

So Donald Trump capitalized on distorted views portraying some groups getting ahead at the expense of White Americans, especially White men. Donald Trump didn’t say this, he just capitalized on the sentiment that has been building for years. He appealed to their desire to have someone speak for them. Never mind that Donald Trump cannot possibly relate to people from low-income backgrounds, struggling to make ends meet. That’s not a criticism, just a reality.

On the other hand, Hillary Clinton made the ill-fated remark about the majority of Trump supporters being deplorables. She meant, of course, the fringe element spouting racism, misogyny, anti-immigrant statements, homophobia, and anti-Islamic and anti-Semitic (among other things) sentiments. Those people got much more of the media focus than other Trump supporters. Some pundits referred to his followers as uneducated. Many after the election have chosen to focus on the voice of the “non-college-educated White male” as if Trump’s persona and comments haven’t appealed to the upper-class frat boy mentality, and his friendships with the likes of Mike Tyson and Bill Belichick haven’t appealed to countless other self-proclaimed “tough guys.” (Not to mention, that others simply felt their opinions on particular policy issues fell more in line with Trump than Clinton.) No one wants to be referred to as stupid, ignorant, or deplorable–unless they rally around it, showcasing cheesy t-shirts, bumper stickers, caps, and buttons like badges of honor (much like redneck was considered a bad thing, until it became a cash cow for enterprising merchandisers…You know if you’re a Deplorable if…).

So Ivy-League educated Donald Trump came off as regular Joe, while Hillary Clinton came off as elitist. Much like Ivy-League educated George W. Bush came off as mascot for the less-educated and Al Gore came off as uppity. Sort of like how Ivy-League educated Barack Obama came off as a regular guy and Mitt Romney came off as an out-of-touch snob–except “ignorant” was not generally a term thrown at President Obama like it was thrown at former-President G.W. Bush; and “crude” hasn’t been attached to Obama like it has been attached to the President-Elect. Furthermore, the King of Boasts, Tall Tales, and so-called Locker Room Talk managed to portray himself to many as more truthful than Hillary Clinton. Let’s call him Teflon Don. Of course the big issue I’ve managed to avoid thus far is that Donald Trump presented himself as a regular Joe, while Hillary Clinton could never do so as a woman. Did a huge number of people choose Trump just to avoid a female President? (Cokie Roberts thinks it’s possible.)

Now we find ourselves in the middle of protests and talks to finally rid ourselves of the very un-democratic Electoral College. I can only imagine what we would be facing had the outcome of the election been different. I can imagine the outcries of a rigged election that would have come from both the Trump campaign and outspoken Republican pundits who attached themselves to the Trump Train, had he not won the required number of electoral votes. It would have been ironic, considering the hacking that occurred throughout the campaign was tied to those seeking to discredit the Clinton camp (the highly-partisan WikiLeaks and the Russian government–allegedly). I don’t hear talk from leading Democrats about rigged election machines or hacked election results, so that’s something.

President-Elect Trump must work on creating a solid foundation to bring Americans closer together–first by fostering greater unity. Of course, this can’t happen if he keeps silent about the atmosphere of hatred that’s out there. He also faces an uphill battle considering his alleged, disgusting treatment of women and his subsequent denials-by-insult. His presidency needs to frequently reference the real economic gaps between groups–rather than the fiction of Whites losing out to People of Color, as well as between rich and poor. Poor people, and blue collar people, in general regardless of color or racial/ethnic background, rarely get seen at all–except in a negative light or as caricatures. It’s long past time to remedy this. Let’s hear their stories and put in place policy to foster economic independence rather than dependence.

There is always talk by politicians of the middle class. Let’s help the middle-class. Sure, sounds great. Many millionaires consider themselves to be middle-class. Over half of the members of Congress were identified as millionaires. My middle class and your middle class, wealthier politician, are probably not the same group of people. We need to provide people from low-income and working-class backgrounds real opportunities to provide a good life for their families. (I’m sorry, in most parts of this country, that doesn’t include people making 6 figures. It doesn’t, although I know many are probably working paycheck to paycheck too.) Vocational education programs in the U.S. should be strengthened in all schools and combined with STEM. A high number of new manufacturing plants should be created in the most economically depressed areas and they should provide comprehensive, on-the-job training opportunities for adults living in those areas, along with internships for high school and college students.

There is plenty of work to be done in the U.S.–to repair both our infrastructure and our trust in one another. Forget making America great “again”. For some populations it has never gotten there. I’m talking about anyone member of a group that’s been oppressed. Yes, that includes poor White people. If you think this country has been great for you as your family has experienced generations of poverty, well delusions can be a great thing.

Let’s make the United States of America truly great for all of its population. It will take time, real resources, a move towards equity, RESPECT, human decency, a successful fight against hatred, an end to misogyny, frank dialogue (2-way conversation involves listening, respect, openness, sharing…), okay it will take a lot, but it’s worth fighting for and working towards. It’s now your show and your move Mr. President-Elect. Can you actually get Congress to function to promote human rights and better economic opportunity for all Americans? Will you be willing to show people from similar economic backgrounds that they are more alike than not? Can you remove this artificial barrier that’s been put up since before the colonists started a revolution–the barrier that pits races against each other? Do you even know it’s there and why it was created? (Hint: To keep the wealthy, wealthy.) Are you willing to nominate Supreme Court justices that have no desire to roll back Roe v. Wade or marriage equality? Will you go back to wanting to amend the Affordable Care Act rather than revoke it (which you were for (amending) before you weren’t)?

Mr. President-Elect, you can start by weeding out from your circle the hateful hangers-on that have followed along behind you. For one, Rudy Giuliani, who seems to have lost his mind (or possibly taken off a carefully constructed mask) over the last 15 years, should be sent back to the Big Apple. Newt Gingrich can exit, as well. Get some people behind you that are willing to work with others regardless of political party. The jury’s still out on the arse-kisser from the Garden State, who probably needs to take a back seat on the Train, as well, although when no one’s looking he sometimes makes sound decisions. We’ll all be watching to see what you do. You won’t have to wait for history to be your judge.

Posting a few preliminary thoughts on problems we need to address in the U.S. These will be fleshed out and revised down the line. Think of it as a brainstorming session.

1. Improve the public school system

Curriculum Revision

Each school curriculum should be largely project-based. Most people, including our children, learn best by doing something constructive.

Every subject suitable to be taught in our P-12 grades can be best learned through hands-on application.

Regular field trips and projects can be undertaken that both enable students to learn core material AND help the community and local businesses.

We should be teaching students coding and other technology, as well as basic engineering from the elementary grades on up–to the extent that it will be fun and fruitful for them. Adequate funding needs to be provided to all public schools for this to happen.

None of this, of course, should come at the expense of solid, well-rounded education in history, social sciences, language arts, industrial arts, and the fine arts. This can all be incorporated together as students work collaboratively and alone (when appropriate) on their projects.

Our focus should not be on preparing students for college; it should be on preparing them for life. Every public school should combine vocational and avocational learning

Practical skills

Real-world application via internships, quality field trips, and partnerships with local government, businesses, and social service agencies

Meaningful exposure to different cultures

Character education

This should be taught thoroughly at every level of education

We need a greater number of ethical economists, engineers, scientists, bankers, insurers, law enforcers, inventors, corporate heads, medical providers, media providers, policymakers and other politicians (as well as those in other fields, of course)

We need to re-think how we fund our public schools – Our best economic minds ought to be able to figure out an equitable way to generate and distribute funds so that all students attending public schools get great educations and access to the best equipment in safe and high-quality facilities

The so-called educational ladder seems to exist only to keep certain students locked in a virtual (or sometimes actually in name) tracking system

It needs to mean a thoroughly integrated system of schooling in which preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools, along with junior/community colleges, 4-year colleges, and universities all work in tandem through tutoring, mentoring, field experiences, internships, shared technology, and student-led projects

2. Improve elderly care

Social security reform – We ought to be able to fix this, so the question is why haven’t we?

Long-term care – It’s not affordable to most seniors; this drains their savings and then Medicaid steps in (which just increases the amount we all contribute) and provides the bare minimum

Nursing homes for many seniors are severely lacking. They are very expensive

Why can’t we design more facilities that combine nursing homes, assisted living, and senior communities? They do exist, although they are usually not affordable to lower-income seniors

Why can’t these facilities include bottom-floor rental space for local businesses, medical practitioners, and social service agencies?

Money in the form of rent from businesses and seniors who live in their own units can offset some of the cost for seniors to live in assisted-living and nursing home units

High school and college students would benefit from internships in long-term care facilities

Elementary and middle school students would benefit from regular visits to long-term care facilities (reading to the elderly, playing games with them, serving as surrogate grandchildren, and developing empathy for the elderly and their needs rather than ignorance, fear, or disregard)

3. Hold our businesses (including financial institutions) more accountable to the communities in which they reside/from which they get their customers and employees

Nearly all brick and mortar businesses should partner with local government, schools/colleges/universities, and social service agencies

Internships, apprenticeships, job-training programs, and higher education opportunity should be part of a regular service provided for students and community members needing employment

Companies need incentives to be able to provide some services but they also need to be part of a collective, formalized effort that becomes self-sustaining; if structured right it would be a win-win situation in which businesses thrive along with their communities

This can be done through regular, consistent public pressure rather than increased government oversight

If companies are regular, contributing “members” of the community and partners they can be held more accountable and will likely feel more accountable

We can use innovation and technology to decrease negative environmental impact while increasing company profit; yes, that can be done

4. Create more manufacturing plants and entrepreneurial opportunities all-over the U.S. including in the most economically devastated/impoverished areas

Government needs to foster this by reducing certain burdens that have driven some companies away, but at the same time holding high expectations for corporate responsibility; also providing funding or devising special tax incentives for more entrepreneurs

Banks need to be part of this process granting loans and other opportunities for entrepreneurs regardless of the neighborhoods in which they operate; in fact greater incentives should be given to those seeking to revitalize impoverished areas (and, no, this does not mean gentrification that pushes poor people out increasingly into the fringes–that needs to end)

Communities need to be active partners in this process to ensure that the needs of their residents are being met and to hold companies in-check (holding them immediately accountable for any abuses; public reputation and decreased dollars go a long way in making companies curb bad behavior)

Capitalism is supposed to about competition, but our version seems more to be about greedy conglomerates that swallow up other companies and are held less and less accountable

With improved education, increased partnerships with the business, government, educational, and social service sectors we will have far more working-age people who are capable of overhauling our infrastructure in innovative, cost-effective ways that help rather than hurt communities and the environment

7. Stop de facto gerrymandering that’s created to be advantageous to a political party or to ensure the status quo isn’t changed by making it all but certain that incumbents from both parties continue to get re-elected regardless of their effectiveness as representatives of their communities

8. End redlining & make a concerted effort to improve the financial and social capital of our poorest rural, suburban, and urban areas

Establish more free-to-use community centers, manufacturing plants, banks, job-training centers, social service agencies in these areas

Forcing poor people to leave areas by raising rent and taxes to bring in companies is NOT a viable solution

It continues to happen. Some pundits applaud and say this is the solution to reducing crime (especially now in our larger cities)

All this accomplishes is pushing poverty and crime into neighboring areas, making it someone else’s problem

In the big picture, it’s really everyone’s problem, although for some it is more immediately evident

In the not-to-distant future, if the practice isn’t halted, we will see more affluent, socially mobile, educated individuals populating our cities, having access to a greater degree of public transportation and high-quality jobs to which they won’t have to commute from the suburbs; in turn we will have more and more economically impoverished suburbs (and a continued growth of poor rural areas) and residents that have much less access to public transportation AND fewer resources to buy their own automobiles

We must work to reverse this trend. It is not healthy for the country.

All of the above steps will work to reduce poverty in the U.S. until it is virtually eliminated. Sure this sound Pollyanna-ish, but there do not have to be haves and have nots in this country. However concerted efforts need to be made to ensure that these efforts are reducing poverty. (Less poverty in the U.S. will lead to less poverty in other areas, provided the U.S. improves its geo-political knowledge and policies and collective intercultural intelligence.)

9. Reduce segregation because it almost invariably is tied to economic and racial/ethnic injustice

How? If the public educational system were more equitable; if responsible companies and entrepreneurs were encouraged and rewarded to create an on-going system of field experiences, internships, job-training, and employment opportunities via partnerships with local communities and schools, especially in the most impoverished areas; if financial institutions eliminated their biases against impoverished communities; you would see a greater degree of integration not only across ethnic and racial lines but across economic lines. This would have a positive impact on the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

10. Encourage coalitions of individuals and groups to come together to create solutions and demand that our government officials and companies implement them

Encourage wealthy individuals to financially support these causes

Use pooled resources to really address the issues at an institutional level, because they will continue to exist if institutions of injustice are rewarded rather than dismantled.

This is just a collection of thoughts that need to be revisited and thought out more. There are other areas that need attention, as well. There are great minds out there, along with companies, nonprofits, and groups that are doing great research and good work to address some of these issues. Wouldn’t it be great if more of them came together to create thoroughly researched solutions and apply them to address our most pressing needs?

The President suggested that voters in support of the bill tell their Senators exactly how they feel and that they won’t forget the feeling come election time.
Whatever the issue, the only way these politicians will hear anything is by voting their cronies out and threatening to do the same to you when their terms are up. Stricter gun laws, reform of the fraud-laden welfare system, trimming of pork…whatever your issue make your votes matter so these people stop taking us for granted.

Interesting read about oppression on campus and students’ attitudes towards it. Mostly focused on Canadian schools. Do individual acts of #homophobia, #racism, or #sexism on campus mean the campus has problems with homophobia, racism, and sexism? Many students don’t think so. http://ow.ly/jyKEm